I’d like to start this week’s report by recognizing that we saw several bills that some constituents are very passionate about these last couple of weeks. I respect, and endorse, that passion, as these are important issues. In any case, I just ask that we continue to have conversations and debate about each of these bills as they are brought forward.

With that in mind, we started out the week in the Education Committee with a bill sponsored by Representative Dylan Jordan to remove an enhanced concealed weapon permit as a condition to carry a concealed weapon on a college campus. As you may remember, during the last legislative session, a bill was signed into law allowing students to carry firearms on college campuses as long as they meet the higher standards. Student government officers from USD, SDSU, NSU, BHSU, the Executive Director of the Board of Regents, the Tech Schools, a representative of the Police Chiefs Assn, all testified against this bill, and asked us to move it to the 41st day effectively ending the bill. The committee voted 9-6 to do that.

The next bill we heard was to allow any employee of a public school or accredited private school with a concealed weapon permit to carry a concealed weapon on the school property, as long as that person notified law enforcement. There was only the bill sponsor testifying for this bill, and a long line of opponents against that bill. This bill, too, was moved to the 41st day by a 12-3 vote.

The education committee bills the rest of the week got no easier, as we discussed opt-out votes, cardiac emergency plans, appropriations for statewide teacher retention, a ”Science of Reading” pilot program in Aberdeen, Willow Lake, and Huron school systems, requiring the state motto to be displayed in public schools, and ended with a bill to allow 4 year old children to start kindergarten.

Health and Human Services started a lot easier than Education. A bill to allow a diabetic student to possess and administer diabetic medication on school property or at school sponsored events passed easily. Then, an act to authorize dispensing Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroguine passed to the floor. A bill affecting SNAP benefits was passed, an act defining an electronic smoking device was passed on a substitute motion, an act to protect certain rights of health care providers was passed. A bill to make a mother who has an abortion a felon was sent to the 41st day, an act to reschedule a controlled substance drug legal to dispense as soon as the FDA label is placed on it passed. This is a drug that is showing great promise for the treatment of depression and PTSD test patients. And after a long discussion about “birthing centers” and how far they would be from a medical facility capable of dealing with a birthing emergency was sent to the 41st day.

Anything that passes out of committee only passes to the floor of the House to be voted on by all of the Representatives, or to the Appropriations committee for further consideration if money is involved.

One last thought for the week: always keep in mind as you read the titles of bills, the title is not necessarily an accurate representation of the content of the bill. I ask anybody interested to always read the whole thing. These can all be found on the legislative website at https://sdlegislature.gov. If there is a bill being heard that affects you or you care about, I’d really like to hear from you. My phone number to text me is 605-840-2290, and my email address is jim.halverson@sdlegislature.gov. God bless and have a great week.